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There is a case where a person suddenly develops small sores on the posterior midline of the neck (Duikou, a specific type of carbuncle). Initially itchy and then painful, it progresses to ulceration. People consider this an extremely dangerous carbuncle; however, carbuncles arising at Duikou are relatively mild, whereas those arising on the sides that are difficult to treat are even more severe. This is because the upper neck is the region governed by the Kidney Meridian and the Du Mai (Governing Vessel). This area belongs to Yin, so the carbuncles and ulcers generated here are mostly Yin-type rather than Yang-type. Yang-type ulcers must protrude several inches, with red and swollen skin that shines, accompanied by severe pain causing groaning; Yin-type ulcers are different: the color is necessarily dark/blackish, the pain is not very severe, the body feels heavy, there is fatigue and a desire to lie down, moaning is weak, the wound does not protrude, or presents as numerous small openings to confuse observers, making it hard to locate the head of the pus. However, both Yin and Yang toxins can be resolved internally; why wait until the skin breaks and swelling ulcerates before treating? As for the method of internal resolution, originally there is no need to distinguish between Yin and Yang. But once the wound has ruptured and pus has emerged, if one blindly administers medicine without assessing Yin and Yang, disaster will occur in an instant. The method of internal resolution generally requires only three herbs, named Sanxing Tang (Three Stars Decoction): *Honeysuckle Flower* (Jinyinhua, 2 liang), *Dandelion Herb* (Gongying, 1 liang), and *Raw Licorice Root* (Sheng Gancao, 3 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. After two doses, complete resolution occurs. For Yang-type conditions that have already ruptured, this formula is still used; within three doses, pus will cease and flesh will regenerate. For Yin-type conditions with extensive ulceration, this formula should not be reused; instead, use Qisheng Tang (Seven Sages Decoction): *Ginseng Root* (Renshen, 1 liang), *Raw Astragalus Root* (Sheng Huangqi, 1 liang), *Angelica Sinensis Root* (Danggui, 1 liang), *Honeysuckle Flower* (Jinyinhua, 2 liang), *Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome* (Baizhu, 1 liang), *Raw Licorice Root* (Sheng Gancao, 3 qian), and *Cinnamon Bark* (Rougui, 1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Blood stops after one dose, flesh regenerates after two, the wound shrinks after three, and skin closes after four. Two additional doses lead to full recovery. This formula is miraculous for any carbuncle toxin anywhere in the body that is depressed and fails to close, not just for treating Yin-toxin at Duikou. Indeed, Yang conditions can be treated with cooling purgatives, while Yin conditions require warming tonification.

Some people develop carbuncles/ulcers on the top of the head, which is truly called Naoju (Brain Carbuncle); Duikou and Piankou are not true Naoju. This condition carries nine deaths for every one survival, but if treated correctly, all can be saved. Generally, those who develop this carbuncle suffer from boiling Fire of the Kidney. The brain is the Sea of Marrow, originally connected to the Kidney. Without Fire, the Kidney cannot transform Marrow into Essence; with excessive Fire, the Marrow also fails to transform into Essence. Not only does it fail to transform Essence, but following the rise and fall of Fire, it transforms into Toxicity generating carbuncles and ulcers. The transformation of Essence by the Kidney must be assisted by Qi from the Brain. If the Brain contains nothing but Kidney Fire, Qi inevitably transforms into Fire. Since Fire nature flares upward and fails to descend, toxicity spontaneously arises in the Sea of Marrow in the brain. This toxicity is more severe than that caused by Brain Qi flowing downward. Consequently, there are often changes in appearance and voice, purple-black wound shapes, irritability, dry mouth, thirst that persists despite drinking, and even rotting of the cranial bones which peel off in pieces. The wretched state is indescribable; how can it be saved? This condition requires asking about dietary intake. If the patient retains taste for food, medication can be administered. Use Wusheng Tang (Five Sages Decoction) to treat: *Honeysuckle Flower* (Jinyinhua, 8 liang [half jin]), *Scrophularia Root* (Xuanshen, 3 liang), *Raw Astragalus Root* (Sheng Huangqi, 4 liang), *Ophiopogon Tuber* (Maidong, 3 liang), and *Ginseng Root* (Renshen, 2 liang). Decoct in water and take orally. After four consecutive doses, the carbuncle gradually heals. Then switch to Shiquan Dabu Tang (Perfect Great Tonifying Decoction, heavily dosed at 4 liang), taken for four doses. Finally, switch to Bawei Dihuang Tang (Eight-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill/Decoction) allowing liberal consumption, leading to full recovery.

Such treatments are methods for a condition with nine deaths for one survival. However, abandoning my method, there is truly no second way. People contracting this carbuncle often do so due to sexual techniques. Herbs to stimulate yang and astringe essence are typically caustic and hot cinnabar/mineral products. They are washed, chewed, held in the mouth, or hidden in the navel, forcibly blocking the essence pathway. Prolonged intercourse accumulates day after day, drying up True Yin, exhausting Marrow, and igniting Fire, leading to ulceration at the crown of the head, often resulting in death. Why struggle to please women at the cost of a life worth a thousand gold, wailing in the underworld?